Organic Dry Garbanzo Beans (chick peas) - 1 pound box

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Quick Overview

Eden selected dried garbanzo beans, aka chick peas, California and Arizona family organically grown in mineral rich, vital soil. The quintessential salad and hummus bean. Very common in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. Great in chilled gazpacho. Mild sweet flavor, rich in healthy fiber, folate B9, and manganese, and a good source of protein, iron, thiamin B1, and magnesium. Superb in soups, stews, curry, and for making falafel. Packaged in boxes of recycled and recyclable paperboard, one of the most environmentally friendly packages available. pareve

Eden Organic Dry Garbanzo Beans are packaged in boxes made from recycled and recyclable paperboard, one of the most environmentally friendly packages available. According to the 100 percent Recycled Paperboard Alliance (RPA100.com), "Fourteen trees are saved for each ton of paperboard converted to 100 percent recycled paperboard. Trees are critical to the sequestration of CO2 (a greenhouse gas) in North America. For each ton of paperboard converted to 100 percent recycled paperboard, an equal amount of recovered fiber has been diverted from municipal landfills. Production of 100 percent recycled paperboard uses 50 percent less energy compared to virgin grades of paperboard, thus significantly reducing the greenhouse gases released into the environment."

Garbanzo beans Cicer arietinum are legumes that looks like a bumpy pea. Other names from around the world are Indian peas, ceci beans, Egyptian peas, bengal gram, kabuli, and chana. The are of the Fabaceae family and not related to the common beans (kidney, pinto, black, navy, etc.). There are over 21 different colors, shapes, and varieties. Eden Organic Garbanzo Beans are the medium-large, round, beige variety. Garbanzo beans were domesticated over 10,500 years ago and originated in what is now southeastern Turkey and parts of Syria. Today they are grown in the Mediterranean, western Asia and India and are the most widely eaten legume in the world. Garbanzo are a versatile bean with a mild sweet, nutlike flavor and firm texture that becomes almost buttery when pureed. Garbanzo beans are one of the most popular vegetarian staples used to make curry and the classic spread, hummus. When ground into flour they are used to make the Middle Eastern favorite, falafel. They are probably the most popular salad bean and are often an ingredient in stews.

According to the FDA, "Low fat diets rich in fruits and vegetables (foods that are low in fat and may contain dietary fiber, Vitamin A, or Vitamin C) may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors." Also, "Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of hypertension or high blood pressure, a disease with many factors." Eden Organic Garbanzo Beans are low fat, cholesterol free, very low sodium, and rich in fiber, folate B9, and manganese. They are a good source of protein, iron, thiamin B1, and magnesium.

Studies show beans contain a wealth of antioxidants similar to those in fruits and berries. "Beans are really loaded with antioxidant compounds," said Clifford Beninger, Ph.D., an environmental biologist and former researcher for the USDA's Bean Research Unit. "We didn't know how potent they were until now." Researchers tested the antioxidant activity of flavonoids found in 12 common varieties of dry beans. They found one class of compounds in particular, anthocyanins, were the most active antioxidants in beans. These findings add antioxidant activity to a growing list of healthy compounds found in beans and legumes. The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Beans are an important source of two essential amino acids not found in many cereal grains, lysine and threonine. Whole grains complement beans and together deliver complete protein. Enjoying a variety of beans with whole grain is a solid step toward a healthy life.

Note: 1/2 cup raw beans equals approximately 1 1/2 cups cooked.

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Sorting
Before soaking and cooking hand sort the beans and remove any foreign matter.

Soaking
Wash and rinse, place in a bowl, cover with 3 inches of cold water, and soak for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. Discard soaking water and rinse again.

OR

Place in a pot with 3 inches of water, bring to a boil, turn off flame, and let sit for 1 1/2 hours. Discard soaking water.

Boiling
Place 3 cups water per each 1 cup of soaked beans in a heavy pot. Bring to a boil, boil uncovered for about 10 minutes, skim off and discard any foam that rises to the top. Your favorite vegetables and spices can be added at this point if desired. In addition we recommend adding a one inch strip of Eden Kombu sea vegetable for each cup of dried beans to help soften and accentuate flavor. Do not add salt until 80 percent done. Salt added at the beginning of cooking prevents beans from fully softening. Reduce the flame, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, adding more water just to cover if needed. When 80 per cent done, season with about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Eden Sea Salt. Cover and simmer for several more minutes or until tender.

Pressure Cooking
Wash and soak beans as directed. Place beans in cooker, add water to cover by 2 inches. Add all seasonings and vegetables except sea salt at the start of cooking. Cover the cooker and bring up to pressure. Reduce the flame to medium-low. Cooking times may vary depending on the type of pressure cooker. Please follow your pressure cooker's suggested time. When done remove from heat and allow the pressure to come down. When all pressure has been released, remove the lid. Add sea salt and simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes.